Welcome to the official website of the Tennessee State Society

About the Tennessee State Society

Andrew Jackson statue in Lafayette Park
Photo Credit: Cliff

The Tennessee State Society (TNSS) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. Its primary purposes are to act as a social and civic outlet that celebrates the people, history, culture and traditions of Tennessee and to connect individuals who either hail from, or, have a deep love for, the Volunteer State.

The TNSS membership, events and activities are managed by an elected Executive Council composed of Officers and Members at Large, members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, and made possible by the generosity of our corporate partners.

About the Tennessee State Flag and Seal

Photo Credits: Elijah Light and the United States Government

The Tennessee state flag was adopted as the official state flag in 1905. The flag features three stars representing the grand divisions of the state: East, Middle and West. The stars are bound together in indissoluble unity symbolized by an unending white band.

The official Tennessee motto is Agriculture and Commerce, which is featured on the Tennessee seal, adopted in 1987. The seal also features the Roman numerals XVI, signifying that Tennessee was the 16th state to enter the Union. The plough, the sheaf of wheat and a cotton stalk, symbolize the importance of agriculture, while the riverboat attests to the importance of river traffic to Tennessee commerce.

The official Tennessee bird is the Mockingbird. Photo Credit: R.B. Larsen

The Tulip Poplar is the official Tennessee tree. Photo Credit: disutant

The Iris is Tennessee's official state flower. Photo Credit: Christian Bortes